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Memory functioning 7 years after severe childhood traumatic brain injury: Results of the Traumatisme Grave de
Hugo Câmara-Costa1,2, Solène Viot3,4, Leila Francillette1
1Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, Paris, France.
Insights
Memory functioning in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often impaired years later. Outcomes are linked to injury severity and cognitive abilities, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up after paediatric TBI.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Traumatology
Background:
- Severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have lasting effects on cognitive functions.
- Understanding long-term memory outcomes is crucial for rehabilitation and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate memory functioning 7 years after severe pediatric TBI.
- To identify factors associated with memory outcomes and their relationship with other long-term consequences.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study included 65 children (0-15 years) surviving severe non-inflicted TBI.
- Memory was assessed 7 years post-injury using standardized scales (Children's Memory Scale/Wechsler Memory Scale IV).
- The General Memory Score (GMS-7) was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Thirty-seven children were assessed at 7 years; mean GMS-7 was in the low average range (84.9).
- Lower memory scores correlated with higher injury severity (e.g., coma duration).
- Functional outcomes at 1 year, intellectual ability, and education type strongly predicted 7-year memory performance.
Conclusions:
- Memory functioning remains variable and often impaired years after severe pediatric TBI.
- Memory outcomes are significantly influenced by initial injury severity and subsequent cognitive/educational factors.
- Memory scores at 7 years were lower than at 1 year, underscoring the need for sustained follow-up.
Objective:
To explore memory functioning 7 years after severe paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), associated factors, and relationships with other outcomes.
Method:
Children aged 0-15 years (n = 65), consecutively admitted over a 3-year period in a single trauma centre, who survived after severe non-inflicted TBI, were included in a prospective longitudinal study. Memory assessments were performed 7 years post-injury using the Children's Memory Scale or the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS IV), according to age. The General Memory Score (GMS-7) was the primary outcome.
Results:
Thirty-seven patients were available for assessment at 7 years post-injury. Mean GMS-7 was in the low average range (M = 84.9, SD = 12.1). Lower GMS-7 was significantly associated with markers of higher injury severity, such as length of coma. One year post-injury functional and disability outcomes explained 74% of the variance of GMS-7. Concurrent intellectual ability and type of ongoing education correlated strongly with GMS-7. Age at injury and parental education were not associated with memory outcome.
Conclusions:
Memory functioning is variable but often strongly impaired several years after severe paediatric TBI, and is mostly related to injury severity, functional outcomes measured 1 year post-injury, and concomitant cognitive and educational outcomes. GMS-7 was lower at 7 years than one year post-injury, supporting the importance of long term follow-up.
